British Columbia

Off-duty police officer, woman in serious condition following stabbing outside Delta school

A woman and an off-duty police officer are in serious condition after they were stabbed in front of an elementary school in Delta, B.C. Wednesday afternoon.

No kids believed to have been harmed following altercation in front of Immaculate Conception Elementary School

Delta police canvass the area in front of Immaculate Conception Elementary School following a stabbing that has sent an off-duty police officer and a woman to hospital in "serious to critical" condition. (Twitter/Ron Calliou)

A woman and an off-duty police officer are in serious condition after they were stabbed in front of an elementary school in Delta, B.C. Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, Delta police said an altercation broke out between a man and a woman in front of Immaculate Conception Elementary School at about 3:05 p.m.

Police say an off-duty officer intervened and was stabbed in the scuffle, along with the woman. B.C. Emergency Health Services said two patients were taken to hospital in "serious to critical condition." 

But according to Delta police, the condition of both patients is now listed as serious.

Police have a suspect in custody but say the scene remains active. No children are believed to have been harmed, police said.

Panicked parent

Eric Cuartero's two children attend Immaculate Conception and he says he drove from downtown Vancouver to Delta as soon as he received an email that the school was on lockdown.

"I am just really scared," said Cuartero. "I have no idea what is going on."

The private Catholic school has students from kindergarten to Grade 7.

Police are asking parents to pick up their children at a nearby parking lot on 120 Street and 88 Avenue.

The Immaculate Conception Delta Parish has cancelled Wednesday night mass and all other evening activities.

Delta police have confirmed the off-duty officer injured is a member of its department.

Corrections

  • A previous version of this story mispelled Eric Cuartero's surname.
    Feb 20, 2019 9:22 PM PT